Woman shoots, kills man while walking her dog in Adamsville

Deputies say a woman walking her dog shot a man at this home in Adamsville early Tuesday morning. Source: WBRC video

Demetrius Thompson. Source: Facebook

BIRMINGHAM, AL (WBRC) -

A fatal shooting is under investigation in Adamsville on Tuesday morning, according to the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office.

Around 12:15 a.m., deputies responded to a home in the 5300 block of Shady Crest Road on a shooting call. They found an unidentified male in the grass near the driveway at the scene.

The female homeowner told deputies she had been walking her dog when she saw the man running towards her. She says she warned the man that she was armed and fired three shots when the suspect continued to approach her. The suspect went to the end of the driveway and collapsed. Chief Deputy Randy Christian has confirmed that the man has died, but did not say how many shots had hit the man.

Authorities have not released the victim's name, but they say he was a 21-year-old from Pratt City. Kelien Gardner, who says he is a close friend of the victim, identifies him as Demetrius Thompson, but authorities have not confirmed the man's identity.

The investigation is ongoing into the incident. The sheriff's department is talking to neighbors and waiting for the coroner's report to see if it matches the woman's story. If it turns out what she said is true, this may be classified as self defense.

"If the story comes back that that's what happened, we would lean that way, but we've got a lot of work to do," said Christian.

Christian says the woman has proper paperwork for her weapon. She did not need to have a permit to carry the gun on her own property. Christian is not aware if the woman had any past altercations like this.

Talking about mental health and suicide is never easy. Since this is Suicide Prevention Month, one group that needs more attention is the African American community because of the rate of suicide among young men.

Talking about mental health and suicide is never easy. Since this is Suicide Prevention Month, one group that needs more attention is the African American community because of the rate of suicide among young men.